Imidazole derivatives

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds of formula I 
                         
wherein
     R 1′  is CH 3 ;   R 1  is methyl, ethyl, CF 3 , cyclopropyl, CH 2 OH or
       R 1′  and R 1  may form together with the carbon atom to which they are attached a 1,1-dioxo-thiolan-3-yl ring;   
       R 2  is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH 2 OH or C(CH 3 ) 2 OH;   R 3  is Cl, F, CF 3 , cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl;   R 4  is hydrogen, methyl or F;
 
or to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or acid addition salt, to a racemic mixture, or to its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof for use in the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or autism spectrum disorder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2016/062204, filed on May 31, 2016. This application also claims priority to European Patent Application No. 15170671.0, filed on Jun. 4, 2015. The entire contents of each of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates to compounds of formula I

wherein

-   R^(1′) is CH₃; -   R¹ is methyl, ethyl, CF₃, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or     -   R^(1′) and R¹ may form together with the carbon atom to which         they are attached a 1,1-dioxo-thiolan-3-yl ring; -   R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl,     CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; -   R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; -   R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F;     or to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or acid addition salt, to a     racemic mixture, or to its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical     isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof for use in the treatment of     psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder,     obsessive-compulsive disorder or autism spectrum disorder.

It has been surprisingly been found that the compounds of general formula I are EAAT3 inhibitors.

The excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3), also referred to in human studies as solute carrier family 1, member 1 (systematic gene name: SLC1A1) and in rodents as excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1), is a high-affinity anionic amino acid transporter found in neurons throughout the cortex and in the hippocampus, basal ganglia (striatum, thalamus), and the olfactory bulb. EAAT3 functions to buffer local glutamate concentrations at excitatory synapses, for example in the hippocampus, and modulates the differential recruitment of glutamate receptor subtypes at extrasynaptic sites. Furthermore, EAAT3 is thought to be involved in facilitating GABA and glutathione biosynthesis. EAAT3 is a member of the EAAT family that mediates the uptake of glutamate into neuronal and glial cells of the mammalian CNS. Two transporters expressed primarily in glia, EAAT1 and EAAT2, are crucial for glutamate homeostasis in the adult mammalian brain and for rapid clearance of glutamate from the synaptic cleft. Three neuronal transporters (EAAT3, EAAT4, and EAAT5) appear to have additional functions in regulating and processing cellular excitability with EAAT3 being abundantly expressed throughout the CNS (EAAT4 is unique to Purkinje cells of the cerebellum and EAAT5 is expressed in rod photoreceptor and bipolar cells of the retina).

EAATs are assembled as trimers, and the existence of multiple isoforms raises the question of whether certain isoforms can form hetero-oligomers. In the mammalian brain, the specificity of excitatory synaptic transmission depends on rapid diffusion of glutamate away from active synapses and the powerful uptake capacity of glutamate transporters in astrocytes. The extent to which neuronal glutamate transporters influence the lifetime of glutamate in the extracellular space remains unclear, but it is thought to be minor. EAAT3, the predominant neuronal glutamate transporter at excitatory synapses in hippocampal area CA1, buffers glutamate released during synaptic events and prolongs the time course of its clearance by astrocytes. EAAT3 does not significantly alter activation of receptors in the synaptic cleft. Instead, it reduces recruitment of perisynaptic/extrasynaptic NR2B-containing NMDARs, thereby facilitating induction of long-term potentiation by short bursts of high-frequency stimulation. Specific EAAT3 inhibitors may have the potential to locally and specifically strengthen particular synapses.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is among the most common mental disorders (prevalence 1-3%), and is at least as prevalent as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In the United States, one in 50 adults suffers from OCD. OCD affects children and adolescents as well as adults. Roughly one third to one half of adults with OCD reports a childhood onset of the disorder, and the disorder is typically chronic in nature. Treatment consists of predominantly serotonergic TCAs (clomipramine) or SSRIs in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Overall, response to these interventions is of some but still limited benefit (approximately comparable to antidepressant response in MDD), and given the chronicity of OCD, the unmet medical need remains very high. OCD has been linked to serotonin and glutamate abnormalities. The hypothesis of glutamate signaling dysfunction in OCD is based on findings from neuroimaging, animal models, positional cloning and treatment studies.

The obsessive-compulsive symptomatology in OCD has considerable phenomenological, epidemiological and possibly (aetio)-pathophysiological overlap with a core autism spectrum disorder criterion: “restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities” (taken from proposed DSM-5 revision). In support of this notion, human genetics studies have linked both the serotonin transporter and EAAT3 (SLC1A1) genes to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or rigid-compulsive behavior in ASD and to OCD.

In addition, obsessive-compulsive symptoms induced by antipsychotics in schizophrenic bipolar disorder patients have been linked to EAAT3 (SLC1A1) gene variants. Post-mortem brain studies have shown that both classic and atypical antipsychotics reduce EAAT3, suggesting an involvement of this transporter in neuroleptic mechanisms beyond dopamine and serotonin modulation. Moreover, genetic variation in the human gene EAAT3 (SLC1A1) has been associated with antipsychotic drug response.

There is converging evidence from neurobiological data, human genetics, imaging studies and experimental treatments that EAAT3 is a key pathophysiological element in OCD and rigid-compulsive behavior in autism and in schizophrenia.

-   Curr. Opin. Pharmacol. 20, 116-123, 2015 -   J. Neurosci., 32, 2552-2563, 2012 -   J. Neurosci 29, 14581-14595, 2009 -   Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 66, 408-416, 2009 -   Pharmacol. Ther. 107, 271-285, 2005 -   J. Neurochem. 98, 1007-1018, 2006 -   Nat. Neurosci., 9, 119-126, 2006

Compounds of formula I are distinguished by having valuable therapeutic properties. They can be used in the treatment or prevention of disorders, relating to EAAT3 inhibitors.

The most preferred indications for compounds which are EAAT3 inhibitors are psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or autism spectrum disorder.

The present invention relates to compounds of formula I and to their pharmaceutically acceptable salts for use in the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or autism spectrum disorder, to compounds of formulas IA, IB, IC, ID, IE and IF as pharmaceutically active substances, to the processes for their production as well as to their use in the treatment or prevention of disorders, relating to EAAT3 inhibitors, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or autism spectrum disorder and to pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of formulas IA, IB, IC, ID, IE and IF.

A further object of the present invention is a method for the treatment or prophylaxis of psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or autism spectrum disorder, which method comprises administering an effective amount of a compound of formula I to a mammal in need.

Furthermore, the invention includes all racemic mixtures, all their corresponding enantiomers and/or optical isomers, or analogues containing isotopes of hydrogen, fluorine, carbon, oxygen or nitrogen.

One object of the present invention are novel compounds of formula IA,

wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or acid addition salt, a racemic mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof, for example the following compounds:

-   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-imidazol-1-ylbenzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(3-fluoro-4-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chloro-3-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-cyclopropylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-imidazol-1-yl]-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-imidazol-1-yl]-benzamide -   N-tert-Butyl-3-[2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-imidazol-1-yl]-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide     or -   N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-imidazol-1-yl]-benzamide

One further object of the present invention are novel compounds of formula IB,

wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or acid addition salt, a racemic mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof, for example the compounds

-   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-imidazol-1-yl]-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide -   3-(2-tert-Butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide -   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide     or -   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide.

One object of the present invention are novel compounds of formula IC,

wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or acid addition salt, a racemic mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof, for example the compounds

-   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide -   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide     or -   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide.

One object of the present invention are novel compounds of formula ID,

wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or acid addition salt, a racemic mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof, for example the compounds

-   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2-cyclopropyl-propan-2-yl)-benzamide -   N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide -   N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide     or -   3-(2-Cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide.

One further object of the invention are compounds of formula IE,

wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or acid addition salt, a racemic mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof, for example the compounds

-   (RS)-3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide     or -   (RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-benzamide.     One further object of the invention are compounds of formula IF,

wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or acid addition salt, a racemic mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof, for example the compounds

-   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-yl-imidazol-1-yl)-benzamide -   3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide     or -   3-(2-tert-Butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide.

The preparation of compounds of formulas IA, IB, IC, ID, IE and IF of the present invention may be carried out in sequential or convergent synthetic routes. Syntheses of the compounds of the invention are shown in the following schemes 1 to 4. The skills required for carrying out the reaction and purification of the resulting products are known to those skilled in the art. The substituents and indices used in the following description of the processes have the significance given herein before.

The compounds of formulas IA, IB, IC, ID, IE and IF can be manufactured by the methods given below, by the methods given in the examples or by analogous methods. Appropriate reaction conditions for the individual reaction steps are known to a person skilled in the art. The reaction sequence is not limited to the one displayed in the schemes, however, depending on the starting materials and their respective reactivity the sequence of reaction steps can be freely altered. Starting materials are either commercially available or can be prepared by methods analogous to the methods given below, by methods described in references cited in the description or in the examples, or by methods known in the art.

The present compounds of formulas IA, IB, IC, ID, IE and IF and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be prepared by methods, known in the art, for example by the process variant described below, which process comprises

a) reacting a compound of formula

with a compound of formula

to a compound of formula I

wherein the substituents are as described above, or if desired, converting the compounds obtained into pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.

b) reacting a compound of formula

with a compound of formula

to a compound of formula I

wherein the substituents are described above, or if desired, converting the compounds obtained into pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.

The preparation of compounds of formulas IA, IB, IC, ID, IE and IF is further described in more detail in scheme 1 to 4 and in examples 1-43.

The imidazole derivatives I can either be prepared from the intermediate iodo derivatives II by substitution reaction with commercially available imidazoles III.

or by coupling reaction of the iodo derivatives IV with commercially available boronic acid derivatives V.

The iodo derivatives II can be prepared starting from commercially available 3-iodo-5-nitrobenzoic acid VI. Amide formation with the commercially available amines VII using standard conditions leads to the amides VIII which can coupled with commercially available boronic acid derivatives III to yield the nitro compounds IX which can be reduced with tin(II)chloride to yield the aniline derivatives X. Well known transformation of the aniline into iodine leads to the iodo building blocks II.

The synthesis of the iodo derivatives IV can start from the above described iodo derivatives VIII which can be transformed into the imidazole derivatives XI by substitution reaction with commercially available imidazoles III. Reduction of the nitro group to the aniline as described above leads to the derivatives XII. The iodo derivatives IV can be prepared from derivatives XII by known transformation of the aniline into the iodine.

Generally speaking, the sequence of steps used to synthesize the compounds of formula I can also be modified in certain cases.

The compounds of formula I and their pharmaceutically usable addition salts possess valuable pharmaceutical properties. Specifically, it has been found that the compounds of the present invention are EAAT3 inhibitors for use in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or autism spectrum disorders.

The compounds were investigated in accordance with the test given hereinafter.

Biological Assay and Data

The FLIPR Membrane Potential (FMP) Assay

HEK-293 cells stably expressing human EAAT3 were seeded at 55 000 cells/well in growth medium (DMEM glutamate free (Invitrogen 11960-044), 1% Pen Strep (10 ml/1 GIBCO BRL N°15140-023), 10% FCS non dialysed heat inactivated, 5 mg/l puromycin) in poly-D-lysine treated 96-well black microtiter plates with clear-bottom. After 24 h, the growth medium was removed and 100 μl/well of Krebs buffer (140 mM NaCl, 4.7 mM KCl, 2.5 mM CaCl₂, 1.2 mM MgCl₂, 11 mM HEPES, 10 mM D-glucose, pH=7.4) added. The cells were then loaded by adding 100 μl/well FMP assay dye (FLIPR Membrane Potential assay reagent, Molecular Devices). The 96-well plates were then incubated at 37° C. for 1 h. The depolarization of the cells will cause more dye to enter in the cells, where it will bind to intracellular proteins and lipids and cause an increase in the fluorescence signal. Antagonist potency at human EAAT3 was determined by using L-glutamate as agonist at a concentration which gives 80% of the maximum response. The antagonists were applied 15 min before the application of the agonist L-glutamate. The assays were performed at room temperature and measurements done by using a Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR, Molecular Devices) and filter #2. Responses were measured as peak increase in fluorescence minus basal (i.e. fluorescence without addition of L-glutamate). Kb was determined using the Cheng-Prusoff equation Kb=IC₅₀/[1+(A/EC₅₀)], where IC₅₀ is the concentration of the antagonist producing 50% inhibition, A is the concentration of the agonist against which the IC₅₀ is being determined (at EC₈₀) and EC₅₀ is the concentration of the agonist producing 50% inhibition.

List of Examples and Data

EAAT3 Kb Structure Compound name [uM] 1

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2- propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.18 2

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5- imidazol-1-ylbenzamide 0.23 3

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2- methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.19 4

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2- ethylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.18 5

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2- cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.12 6

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2- propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.076 7

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2- ylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2- methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide 0.2 8

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2- cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-propan- 2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.23 9

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2- cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2- ethylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.22 10

N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)- (4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide 0.11 11

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2- cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2- methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.17 12

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2- methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.13 13

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2- cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2- cyclopropyl-propan-2-yl)-benzamide 0.31 14

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2- methylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1- trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)- benzamide 0.13 15

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2- cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1- trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)- benzamide 0.15 16

N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-cyclopropylimidazol- 1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide 0.13 17

N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4- fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2- ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.12 18

N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)- 3-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4- fluorophenyl)-benzamide 0.17 19

N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4- fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1- yl)-benzamide 0.29 20

3-(2-Cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2- cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(4- fluorophenyl)-benzamide 0.033 21

N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol- 1-yl)-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]- benzamide 0.18 22

N-tert-Butyl-3-(3-fluoro-4- methylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2- ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.12 23

N-tert-Butyl-3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)- 5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)- benzamide 0.15 24

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chloro-3- fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2- ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.19 25

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-cyclopropylphenyl)- 5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)- benzamide 0.21 26

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-methylphenyl)-5-(2- propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.13 27

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluoro-3- methylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2- ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.28 28

N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol- 1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-benzamide 0.16 29

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[2- (hydroxymethyl)-imidazol-1-yl]- benzamide 0.15 30

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-[2- (hydroxymethyl)-imidazol-1-yl]-N- (2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide 0.16 31

3-(2-tert-Butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4- chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2- yl)-benzamide 0.41 32

N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol-1- yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide 0.18 33

N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol- 1-yl)-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]- benzamide 0.29 34

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[2- (2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-imidazol-1- yl]-benzamide 0.1 35

N-tert-Butyl-3-[2-(2-hydroxypropan- 2-yl)-imidazol-1-yl]-5-[4- (trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide 0.21 36

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan- 2-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)- benzamide 0.33 37

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2- cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2- methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide 0.17 38

(RS)-3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(3-methyl- 1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-5-(2-propan-2- ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.22 39

(RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2- cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(3- methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)- benzamide 0.18 40

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[2- (2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-imidazol-1- yl]-benzamide 0.07 41

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2- methylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-yl- imidazol-1-yl)-benzamide 0.54 42

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2- cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1- hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)- benzamide 0.17 43

3-(2-tert-Butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4- chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2- methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide 0.08

The compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof can be used as medicaments, e.g. in the form of pharmaceutical preparations. The pharmaceutical preparations can be administered orally, e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragées, hard and soft gelatine capsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions. However, the administration can also be effected rectally, e.g. in the form of suppositories, or parenterally, e.g. in the form of injection solutions.

The compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof can be processed with pharmaceutically inert, inorganic or organic carriers for the production of pharmaceutical preparations. Lactose, corn starch or derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or its salts and the like can be used, for example, as such carriers for tablets, coated tablets, dragées and hard gelatin capsules. Suitable carriers for soft gelatin capsules are, for example, vegetable oils, waxes, fats, semi-solid and liquid polyols and the like; depending on the nature of the active substance no carriers are, however, usually required in the case of soft gelatin capsules. Suitable carriers for the production of solutions and syrups are, for example, water, polyols, sucrose, invert sugar, glucose and the like. Adjuvants, such as alcohols, polyols, glycerol, vegetable oils and the like, can be used for aqueous injection solutions of water-soluble salts of compounds of formula (I), but as a rule are not necessary. Suitable carriers for suppositories are, for example, natural or hardened oils, waxes, fats, semi-liquid or liquid polyols and the like.

In addition, the pharmaceutical preparations can contain preservatives, solubilizers, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, sweeteners, colorants, flavorants, salts for varying the osmotic pressure, buffers, masking agents or antioxidants. They can also contain still other therapeutically valuable substances.

As mentioned earlier, medicaments containing a compound of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and a therapeutically inert excipient are also an object of the present invention, as is a process for the production of such medicaments which comprises bringing one or more compounds of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and, if desired, one or more other therapeutically valuable substances into a galenical dosage form together with one or more therapeutically inert carriers.

As further mentioned earlier, the use of the compounds of formula (I) for the preparation of medicaments useful in the prevention and/or the treatment of the above recited diseases is also an object of the present invention.

The dosage can vary within wide limits and will, of course, be fitted to the individual requirements in each particular case. In general, the effective dosage for oral or parenteral administration is between 0.01-20 mg/kg/day, with a dosage of 0.1-10 mg/kg/day being preferred for all of the indications described. The daily dosage for an adult human being weighing 70 kg accordingly lies between 0.7-1400 mg per day, preferably between 7 and 700 mg per day.

Preparation of Pharmaceutical Compositions Comprising Compounds of the Invention

Tablets of the following composition are manufactured in the usual manner:

mg/tablet ingredient 5 25 100 500 Compound of formula I 5 25 100 500 Lactose Anhydrous DTG 125 105 30 150 Sta-Rx 1500 6 6 6 60 Microcrystalline Cellulose 30 30 30 450 Magnesium Stearate 1 1 1 1 Total 167 167 167 831

Manufacturing Procedure

1. Mix ingredients 1, 2, 3 and 4 and granulate with purified water.

2. Dry the granules at 50° C.

3. Pass the granules through suitable milling equipment.

4. Add ingredient 5 and mix for three minutes; compress on a suitable press.

Capsules of the Following Composition are Manufactured:

mg/capsule ingredient 5 25 100 500 Compound of formula I 5 25 100 500 Hydrous Lactose 159 123 148 — Corn Starch 25 35 40 70 Talk 10 15 10 25 Magnesium Stearate 1 2 2 5 Total 200 200 300 600

Manufacturing Procedure

1. Mix ingredients 1, 2 and 3 in a suitable mixer for 30 minutes.

2. Add ingredients 4 and 5 and mix for 3 minutes.

3. Fill into a suitable capsule.

A compound of formula I lactose and corn starch are firstly mixed in a mixer and then in a comminuting machine. The mixture is returned to the mixer; the talc is added thereto and mixed thoroughly. The mixture is filled by machine into suitable capsules, e.g. hard gelatin capsules.

Injection Solutions of the Following Composition are Manufactured:

ingredient mg/injection solution. Compound of formula I 3 Polyethylene Glycol 400 150 acetic acid q.s. ad pH 5.0 water for injection solutions ad 1.0 ml

Manufacturing Procedure

A compound of formula I is dissolved in a mixture of Polyethylene Glycol 400 and water for injection (part). The pH is adjusted to 5.0 by acetic acid. The volume is adjusted to 1.0 ml by addition of the residual amount of water. The solution is filtered, filled into vials using an appropriate overage and sterilized.

EXPERIMENTAL SECTION Intermediates Intermediate 1: N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide

Step A

To a stirred solution of commercially available 3-iodo-5-nitrobenzoic acid (2 g, 6.83 mmol) in THF (49.1 ml) was added at room temperature N,N-diisopropylethylamine (2.21 g, 2.98 ml, 17.1 mmol), 2-methylpropan-2-amine (611 mg, 878 μl, 8.19 mmol) and O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) (3.51 g, 10.9 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h, evaporated and the residue purified by flash chromatography on silica gel [heptane/ethyl acetate (0-50%)] to yield N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-nitrobenzamide (2.31 g, 97%) as an off-white solid, MS (ISP) m/z=349.0 [(M+H)⁺], mp 166° C.

Step B

A mixture of N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-nitrobenzamide (2.3 g, 6.61 mmol) and (4-chlorophenyl)boronic acid (1.34 g, 8.59 mmol) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (44 ml) and 2M Na₂CO₃ (11 ml, 22 mmol) was purged with argon in an ultrasonic bath for 5 min, triphenylphosphine (347 mg, 1.32 mmol) and palladium(II)acetate (148 mg, 661 μmol) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h under reflux conditions. The reaction mixture poured into water (50 ml) and extracted with ethylacetate (2×50 ml). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (40 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give the crude product (3.09 g) as brown solid, which was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel [heptane/ethyl acetate (0-50%)] to yield N-tert-butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzamide (2.38 g, 92%) as a brown solid, MS (ISP) m/z=333.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 186° C.

Step C

To a stirred solution of N-tert-butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzamide (2.38 g, 6.58 mmol) in MeOH (49.8 ml) was added at room temperature tin(II)chloride dihydrate (5.94 g, 26.3 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred under reflux conditions for 2 h, evaporated, water (50 ml) and 2N NaOH (50 ml) were added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (2×75 ml). The combined organic layers were washed with water (50 ml) and brine (50 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The crude product (brown solid, 2.08 g) was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel [dichloromethane/MeOH (1-5%)] to yield 3-amino-N-tert-butyl-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-benzamide (1.90 g, 95%) as a light brown solid, MS (ISP) m/z=303.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 231° C.

Step D

A mixture of 3-amino-N-tert-butyl-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-benzamide (1.899 g, 6.27 mmol), isoamyl nitrite (4.59 g, 5.27 ml, 37.6 mmol) and diiodomethane (10.2 g, 3.07 ml, 37.6 mmol) was stirred at room temperature for 1 h, and afterwards at 65° C. for 5 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, toluene (30 ml) was added and the mixture was evaporated to dryness which was repeated 3 times. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel [heptane/ethy acetate (0-40%)] to yield the title compound (1.41 g, 55%) as light yellow foam, MS (ISP) m/z=414.0 [(M+H)⁺].

Intermediate 2: (RS)-3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-benzamide

Step A

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid, light yellow solid (3.29 g, 99%), MS (ISN) m/z=276.1 [(M−H)⁻], mp 206° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step B, from commercially available 3-iodo-5-nitrobenzoic acid (3.66 g, 11.9 mmol) and commercially available (4-chlorophenyl)-boronic acid (2.04 g, 13.1 mmol).

Step B

(RS)-3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-5-nitrobenzamide, light yellow foam (1.41 g, 91%), MS (ISP) m/z=409.1 [(M+H)⁺], was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step A, from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid (1.05 g, 3.78 mmol) and commercially available (RS)-3-amino-3-methyltetrahydrothiophene 1,1-dioxide (677 mg, 4.54 mmol).

Step C

(RS)-3-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-benzamide, white solid (1.19 g, 91%), MS (ISP) m/z=379.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 197° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step C, from (RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-5-nitrobenzamide (1.41 g, 3.45 mmol).

Step D

The title compound, off-white foam (1.175 g, 77%), MS (ISP) m/z=490.1 [(M+H)⁺], was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step D, from (RS)-3-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-benzamide (1.18 g, 3.11 mmol).

Intermediate 3: 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-iodobenzamide

Step A

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-nitrobenzamide, light yellow solid (1.25 g, 92%), MS (ISP) m/z=359.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 172° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step A, from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid (intermediate 2, step A) (1.05 g, 3.78 mmol) and commercially available 2-cyclopropylpropan-2-amine (0.45 g, 4.54 mmol).

Step B

3-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide, light yellow solid (0.98 g, 85%), MS (ISP) m/z=329.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 199° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step C, from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropyl-propan-2-yl)-5-nitrobenzamide (1.25 g, 3.48 mmol).

Step C

The title compound, light brown solid (1.0 g, 77%), MS (ISP) m/z=440.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 152° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step D, from 3-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide (0.97 g, 2.95 mmol).

Intermediate 4: 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide

Step A

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-nitro-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide, off-white solid (0.63 g, 43%), MS (ISP) m/z=387.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 180° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step A, from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid (intermediate 2, step A) (1.05 g, 3.78 mmol) and commercially available 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-amine (577 mg, 4.54 mmol).

Step B

3-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide, light yellow solid (0.57 g, 98%), MS (ISP) m/z=357.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 150° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step C, from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-nitro-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide (0.63 g, 1.63 mmol).

Step C

The title compound, light yellow solid (0.53 g, 71%), MS (ISP) m/z=468.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 163° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step D, from 3-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide (0.56 g, 1.58 mmol).

Intermediate 5: N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide

Step A

3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid, light brown solid (4.33 g, 97%), MS (ISN) m/z=260.1 [(M−H)⁻], mp 182° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step B, from commercially available 3-iodo-5-nitrobenzoic acid (5.0 g, 17.1 mmol) and commercially available (4-fluorophenyl)-boronic acid (2.63 g, 18.8 mmol).

Step B

N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzamide, yellow solid (1.03 g, 93%), MS (ISP) m/z=317.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 180° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step A, from 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid (914 mg, 3.50 mmol) and commercially available 2-methylpropan-2-amine (307 mg, 441 □l, 4.20 mmol).

Step C

3-Amino-N-tert-butyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide, light yellow solid (0.93 g, 99%), MS (ISP) m/z=287.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 215° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step C, from N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzamide (1.03 g, 3.26 mmol).

Step D

The title compound, off-white (0.83 g, 64%), MS (ISP) m/z=398.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 146° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step D, from 3-amino-N-tert-butyl-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide (0.93 g, 3.25 mmol).

Intermediate 6: N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide

Step A

N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzamide, light brown solid (1.05 g, 88%), MS (ISP) m/z=343.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 159° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step A, from 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid (intermediate 5, step A) (914 mg, 3.50 mmol) and commercially available 2-cyclopropyl-propan-2-amine hydrochloride (0.57 g, 4.20 mmol).

Step B

3-Amino-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide, orange semi-solid (0.95 g, 99%), MS (ISP) m/z=313.2 [(M+H)⁺], was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step C, from N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzamide (1.05 g, 3.07 mmol).

Step C

The title compound, light orange solid (0.84 g, 66%), MS (ISP) m/z=424.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 144° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step D, from 3-amino-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide (0.94 g, 3.02 mmol).

Intermediate 7: N-tert-Butyl-3-iodo-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

Step A

N-tert-Butyl-3-nitro-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide, off-white solid (0.97 g, 71%), MS (ISP) m/z=331.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 166.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-nitrobenzamide (intermediate 1, step A) (1.45 g, 4.17 mmol) and commercially available 2-isopropyl-1H-imidazole (918 mg, 8.33 mmol).

Step B

3-Amino-N-tert-butyl-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide, white solid (0.83 g, 94%), MS (ISP) m/z=301.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 256.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step C, from N-tert-butyl-3-nitro-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide (0.97 g, 2.94 mmol).

Step C

The title compound, light yellow solid (0.85 g, 72%), MS (ISP) m/z=412.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 169.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step D, from 3-amino-N-tert-butyl-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide (0.86 g, 2.86 mmol).

Intermediate 8: 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide

Step A

3-Iodo-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-5-nitrobenzamide, off-white solid (1.44 g, 99%), MS (ISP) m/z=363.0 [(M+H)⁺], mp 117° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step A, from commercially available 3-iodo-5-nitrobenzoic acid (1.17 g, 4.0 mmol) and commercially available 2-methylbutan-2-amine (0.42 g, 4.8 mmol).

Step B

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-5-nitrobenzamide, light brown solid (0.69 g, 99%), MS (ISP) m/z=347.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 171.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step B, from 3-iodo-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-5-nitrobenzamide (0.72 g, 1.99 mmol) and commercially available (4-chlorophenyl)-boronic acid (405 mg, 2.59 mmol).

Step C

3-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide, light yellow solid (0.62 g, 97%), MS (ISP) m/z=317.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 192° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step C, from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-5-nitrobenzamide (1.25 g, 3.48 mmol).

Step D

The title compound, light yellow solid (0.65 g, 78%), MS (ISP) m/z=428.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 136° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step D, from 3-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide (0.62 g, 1.96 mmol).

Intermediate 9: N-tert-Butyl-3-iodo-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide

Step A

N-tert-Butyl-3-nitro-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide, light brown solid (0.52 g, 99%), MS (ISP) m/z=367.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 187.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step B, from N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-nitrobenzamide (intermediate 1, step A) (0.50 g, 1.44 mmol) and commercially available (4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-boronic acid (355 mg, 1.87 mmol).

Step B

3-Amino-N-tert-butyl-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide, light yellow solid (0.48 g, 99%), MS (ISP) m/z=337.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 228.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step C, from N-tert-butyl-3-nitro-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide (0.52 g, 1.42 mmol).

Step C

The title compound, light yellow solid (0.44 g, 72%), MS (ISP) m/z=448.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 139° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step D, from 3-amino-N-tert-butyl-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide (0.46 g, 1.37 mmol).

Intermediate 10: 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-5-iodo-benzamide

Step A

3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-5-nitrobenzamide, light yellow foam (1.36 g, 72%), MS (ISP) m/z=349.1 [(M+H)⁺], was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step A, from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid (intermediate 2, step A) (1.50 g, 5.40 mmol) and commercially available 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol (0.58 g, 6.48 mmol).

Step B

3-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide, light yellow foam (0.54 g, 99%), MS (ISP) m/z=319.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 150° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step C, from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-5-nitrobenzamide (0.60 g, 1.72 mmol).

Step C

The title compound, light yellow foam (0.52 g, 74%), MS (ISP) m/z=430.1 [(M+H)⁺], mp 79° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step D, from 3-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide (0.52 g, 1.63 mmol).

Example 1 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

A mixture of N-tert-butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 1) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol), commercially available 2-isopropyl-1H-imidazole (55.1 mg, 0.50 mmol) and potassium carbonate (69.1 mg, 500 μmol) in DMSO (1.5 ml) was purged with argon in an ultrasonic bath for 5 min at room temperature, N,N-dimethylglycine (10.3 mg, 100 μmol) and copper(I)iodide (9.52 mg, 50 μmol) were added, and heated in a sealed tube at 115° C. for 17 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (10 ml), the precipitate collected by filtration and purified by flash chromatography on silica gel [heptane/ethyl acetate (20-80%)] to yield the title compound (75 mg, 76%) as off-white foam, MS (ISP) m/z=396.3 [(M+H)⁺].

Example 2 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-imidazol-1-ylbenzamide

The title compound, light yellow foam (76 mg, 86%), MS (ISP) m/z=354.2 [(M+H)⁺], was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 1) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 1H-imidazole (34.0 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 3 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow solid (76 mg, 83%), MS (ISP) m/z=368.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 220° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 1) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-methyl-1H-imidazole (41.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 4 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, white foam (71 mg, 74%), MS (ISP) m/z=382.2 [(M+H)⁺], was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 1) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-ethyl-1H-imidazole (48.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 5 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, white foam (95 mg, 97%), MS (ISP) m/z=394.3 [(M+H)⁺], was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 1) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazole (54.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 6 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white solid (70 mg, 74%), MS (ISP) m/z=380.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 224° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 5) (99.3 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-isopropyl-1H-imidazole (55.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 7 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, white foam (80 mg, 71%), MS (ISP) m/z=450.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 115.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 4) (117 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-isopropyl-1H-imidazole (55.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 8 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow solid (70 mg, 66%), MS (ISP) m/z=422.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 189° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 3) (110 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-isopropyl-1H-imidazole (55.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 9 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white solid (70 mg, 69%), MS (ISP) m/z=408.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 183° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 3) (110 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-ethyl-1H-imidazole (48.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 10 N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white solid (50 mg, 55%), MS (ISP) m/z=366.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 238° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 5) (99.3 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-ethyl-1H-imidazole (48.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 11 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow solid (70 mg, 71%), MS (ISP) m/z=394.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 180° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 3) (110 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-methyl-1H-imidazole (41.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 12 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white solid (80 mg, 91%), MS (ISP) m/z=352.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 208° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 5) (99.3 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-methyl-1H-imidazole (41.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 13 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2-cyclopropyl-propan-2-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow foam (90 mg, 86%), MS (ISP) m/z=420.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 90° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 3) (110 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazole (54.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 14 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow solid (80 mg, 76%), MS (ISP) m/z=422.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 199.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 4) (117 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-methyl-1H-imidazole (41.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 15 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow foam (100 mg, 89%), MS (ISP) m/z=448.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 101.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 4) (117 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazole (54.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 16 N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white solid (80 mg, 85%), MS (ISP) m/z=378.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 250.5° C. was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 5) (99.3 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazole (54.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 17 N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, white foam (60 mg, 59%), MS (ISP) m/z=406.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 80° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 6) (106 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-isopropyl-1H-imidazole (55.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 18 N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide

The title compound, white foam (73 mg, 75%), MS (ISP) m/z=392.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 70° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 6) (106 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-ethyl-1H-imidazole (48.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 19 N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white solid (78 mg, 83%), MS (ISP) m/z=378.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 184° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 6) (106 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-methyl-1H-imidazole (41.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 20 3-(2-Cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide

The title compound, white foam (84 mg, 83%), MS (ISP) m/z=404.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 83° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 6) (106 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazole (54.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 21 N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow foam (90 mg, 84%), MS (ISP) m/z=430.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 96.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step B, from N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 7) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available (4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)-boronic acid (61.7 mg, 325 μmol).

Example 22 N-tert-Butyl-3-(3-fluoro-4-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white foam (70 mg, 71%), MS (ISP) m/z=394.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 98° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step B, from N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 7) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 3-fluoro-4-methylphenylboronic acid (50.0 mg, 325 μmol).

Example 23 N-tert-Butyl-3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white foam (90 mg, 91%), MS (ISP) m/z=398.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 91.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step B, from N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 7) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 3,4-difluoro-phenylboronic acid (51.3 mg, 325 μmol).

Example 24 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chloro-3-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow foam (100 mg, 97%), MS (ISP) m/z=414.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 98° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step B, from N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 7) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 4-chloro-3-fluoro-phenylboronic acid (56.7 mg, 325 μmol).

Example 25 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-cyclopropylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow foam (70 mg, 70%), MS (ISP) m/z=402.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 95° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step B, from N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 7) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 4-cyclopropylphenylboronic acid (52.6 mg, 325 μmol).

Example 26 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white foam (70 mg, 75%), MS (ISP) m/z=376.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 104° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step B, from N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 7) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 4-methylphenylboronic acid (44.2 mg, 325 μmol).

Example 27 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white foam (70 mg, 71%), MS (ISP) m/z=394.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 98.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of intermediate 1, step B, from N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 7) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 4-fluoro-3-methylphenylboronic acid (50.0 mg, 325 μmol).

Example 28 N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-benzamide

A sealed tube was charged with N-tert-butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 1) (37.3 mg, 0.3 mmol), potassium phosphate (106 mg, 0.5 mmol) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (40.3 mg, 125 μmol), DMSO (1.5 ml) was added, the reaction mixture purged with argon for 5 min in an ultrasonic bath and copper(I)iodide (4.76 mg, 25 μmol) and 4,7-dihydroxy-1,10-phenanthroline (10.6 mg, 50 μmol) were added. The mixture was allowed to stir for 24 h at 100° C., diluted with water (5 ml), the precipitate was collected by filtration, and purified by flash chromatography on silica gel [heptane/ethyl acetate (20-80%)] to yield the title compound as light yellow foam (24 mg, 23%), MS (ISP) m/z=410.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 101° C.

Example 29 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-imidazol-1-yl]-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow foam (59 mg, 62%), MS (ISP) m/z=384.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 114° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 1) (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available (1H-imidazol-2-yl)-methanol (49.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 30 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-imidazol-1-yl]-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white foam (71 mg, 71%), MS (ISP) m/z=398.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 76° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 8) (107 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available (1H-imidazol-2-yl)-methanol (49.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 31 3-(2-tert-Butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow solid (16 mg, 15%), MS (ISP) m/z=424.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 189.5° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 28 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 8) (107 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-tert-butyl-1H-imidazole (37.3 mg, 0.30 mmol).

Example 32 N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow solid (50 mg, 51%), MS (ISP) m/z=394.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 218° C. was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 28 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 5) (99.3 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-tert-butyl-1H-imidazole (37.3 mg, 0.30 mmol).

Example 33 N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide

The title compound, off-white solid (30 mg, 27%), MS (ISP) m/z=444.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 225° C. was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 28 from N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide (intermediate 8) (112 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-tert-butyl-1H-imidazole (37.3 mg, 0.30 mmol).

Example 34 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-imidazol-1-yl]-benzamide

The title compound, white solid (20 mg, 20%), MS (ISP) m/z=396.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 183° C. was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 28 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 5) (99.3 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)-propan-2-ol (63.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 35 N-tert-Butyl-3-[2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-imidazol-1-yl]-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide

The title compound, off-white solid (10 mg, 9%), MS (ISP) m/z=446.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 173.5° C. was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 28 from N-tert-butyl-3-iodo-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide (intermediate 8) (112 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)-propan-2-ol (63.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 36 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, white foam (79 mg, 77%), MS (ISP) m/z=410.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 87° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 8) (107 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-isopropyl-1H-imidazole (55.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 37 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, light green foam (91 mg, 89%), MS (ISP) m/z=408.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 85° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 8) (107 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazole (54.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 38 (RS)-3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, white foam (72 mg, 61%), MS (ISP) m/z=472.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 112° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from (RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 2) (122 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-isopropyl-1H-imidazole (55.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 39 (RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, off-white foam (89 mg, 76%), MS (ISP) m/z=470.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 115° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from (RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodo-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-benzamide (intermediate 2) (122 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazole (54.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 40 N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-imidazol-1-yl]-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow foam (50 mg, 24%), MS (ISP) m/z=412.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 78° C. was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 28 from N-tert-butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-iodobenzamide (intermediate 1) (207 mg, 0.50 mmol) and commercially available 2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)-propan-2-ol (126 mg, 1.0 mmol).

Example 41 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-yl-imidazol-1-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, white foam (60 mg, 58%), MS (ISP) m/z=412.3 [(M+H)⁺], mp 97° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-5-iodo-benzamide (intermediate 10) (107 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-isopropyl-1H-imidazole (55.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 42 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, light yellow foam (80 mg, 78%), MS (ISP) m/z=410.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 99° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 1 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-5-iodo-benzamide (intermediate 10) (107 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazole (54.1 mg, 0.50 mmol).

Example 43 3-(2-tert-Butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide

The title compound, white foam (40 mg, 38%), MS (ISP) m/z=426.2 [(M+H)⁺], mp 234° C., was prepared in accordance with the general method of example 28 from 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-5-iodo-benzamide (intermediate 10) (107 mg, 0.25 mmol) and commercially available 2-tert-butyl-1H-imidazole (62.1 mg, 0.50 mmol). 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R^(1′) is CH₃; R¹ is methyl, ethyl, CF₃, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or R^(1′) and R¹ may form together with the carbon atom to which they are attached a 1,1-dioxo-thiolan-3-yl ring; R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; and R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F.
 2. A compound of claim 1 of formula IA:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F.
 3. A compound of claim 2, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-imidazol-1-ylbenzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(3-fluoro-4-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chloro-3-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-cyclopropylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol-1l-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-imidazol-1-yl]-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(2-tert-butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-imidazol-1-yl]-benzamide; N-tert-Butyl-3-[2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-imidazol-1-yl]-5-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-benzamide; and N-tert-Butyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-[2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-imidazol-1-yl]-benzamide.
 4. A compound of claim 1 of formula IB:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F.
 5. A compound of claim 4, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-imidazol-1-yl]-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide; 3-(2-tert-Butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide; 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide or 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2-methylbutan-2-yl)-benzamide.
 6. A compound of claim 1 of formula IC:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F.
 7. A compound of claim 6, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide; 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide; and 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide.
 8. A compound of claim 1 of formula ID:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F.
 9. A compound of claim 8, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2-cyclopropyl-propan-2-yl)-benzamide; N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(2-ethylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide; N-(2-Cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; and 3-(2-Cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(2-cyclopropylpropan-2-yl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-benzamide.
 10. A compound of claim 1 of formula IE:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F.
 11. A compound of claim 10, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: (RS)-3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-ylimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; and (RS)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(3-methyl-1,1-dioxothiolan-3-yl)-benzamide.
 12. A compound of claim 1 of formula IF:

wherein R² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertbutyl, cyclopropyl, CH₂OH or C(CH₃)₂OH; R³ is Cl, F, CF₃, cyano, methyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, methyl or F; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or acid addition salt, a racemic mixture, or its corresponding enantiomer and/or optical isomer and/or stereoisomer thereof.
 13. A compound of claim 12, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-5-(2-propan-2-yl-imidazol-1-yl)-benzamide; 3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-(2-cyclopropylimidazol-1-yl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide; and 3-(2-tert-Butylimidazol-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(1-hydroxy-2-methylpropan-2-yl)-benzamide.
 14. A process for the manufacture of a compound of claim 1 of formula I wherein the process comprises the steps: a) reacting a compound of formula:

with a compound of formula:

to provide a compound of formula I:

b) reacting a compound of formula:

with a compound of formula:

to a compound of formula I:


15. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
 16. A method for the treatment schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder or autism spectrum disorder, which method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a human in need of such treatment. 